Iran would only consider nuclear issue talks on its merit
Iran-UN, Politics, 4/29/2006

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani today sent a letter to Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei saying if Iran's nuclear dossier remains completely within the IAEA and under its Safeguards Agreement (that is the issue is completely removed from the bounds of the UN Security Council), the country is ready to help resolve the remaining issues within the framework of the latest comprehensive report provided by the IAEA director general dated March 2006.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last night said the IAEA was "losing its prestige among the Iranian nation day by day." He said pointing to the report submitted Friday by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear activities, he said "Iran considers this an opportunity to clarify the goals and missions of the Security Council."

He said "The Security Council should act in accordance with international law, rules and regulations and commitments and prove whether it exists to defend the security of countries or has become as a tool in the hands of certain big powers."

Ahmadinejad said that "states which produce and test atomic bombs cannot deprive Iran of its international legal right to engage in peaceful nuclear activities on the pretext that these are dubious. They (states) can always find ways of removing ambiguities. The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a nuclear country, is ready to hold talks with all countries, including nuclear powers, and international circles to allay concerns of these states."

Alluding to certain big powers, he said they should "respect the rights of the Iranian people and put Iran's nuclear case on its legal course by returning it to the IAEA."

The president, who is also head of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), reiterated "Iran will not negotiate with any country on its inalienable right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes."

"This is our red line. We will not withdraw an iota from it but are ready to hold talks and cooperate with countries that enjoy nuclear technology on strategies that will prevent all producers of nuclear fuel from making any diversion" in their activities," the president said.

Ahmadinejad pointed to Iran's broad cooperation and said it has cooperated with the IAEA even beyond its commitments. "No country has had such a transparent cooperation with the agency yet. This shows that Iran has moved in a correct path and there ought to be no concerns.

"All countries have the right to access nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. No discrimination can be allowed in this regard," adding "Iran's decision to access nuclear technology and produce nuclear fuel is legal, irreversible and in line with all international regulations."

Previous Stories:
  Iran presses ahead as nuclear report is released   (4/28/2006)
  Iran: Enemies cannot justify mistakes committed in the name of IAEA, UN SC   (4/26/2006)
  Ahmadinejad: Iran not obliged to abide by any UNSC resolution   (4/25/2006)

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